The Subs' first release for Gem, recorded at Kingsway Studio Holborn (owned by Ian Gillan of Deep Purple), and produced by John McCoy (bass player with Gillan and the father of future Subs drummer Matt McCoy). Pressed on red vinyl with push-out and solid centres, then on black vinyl with a push-out centre. The last of the black vinyl pressings came in a GEM company sleeve.

According to press advertisements, the single was "rush released" (see cutting below) on 8th June 1979, and pressed "in Blood Red Vinyl"!

The single entered the UK top 100 chart on 23rd of June 1979, staying there for 8 weeks, peaking at number 26 (Source: Guinness British Hit Singles 11th edition). This prompted their first Top Of The Pops appearance (sung live over pre-recorded music), complete with a slight lyric change from "only 13" to "only 18". Stranglehold then dropped out of the top thirty the following week, only to re-enter the week after, which generated another appearance on the show.

Stranglehold was held back until the band had a record deal, it was then re-recorded with both b-sides for Another Kind Of Blues